tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6408462019716735142019-05-25T07:59:57.383-04:00Mary Haseltine...O happy fault, that merited such and so great a Redeemer...
Mary @ Better Than Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.comBlogger98513BetterThanEdenhttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-857600014446116432019-05-22T20:49:00.000-04:002019-05-22T20:49:18.841-04:00Soul of Christ, Sanctify Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tWelKKP08M/XORCkO6hMxI/AAAAAAAAYO0/-YKlgBR07qwVGVruuxTZ7HyQbCLGqe8UACEwYBhgL/s1600/Snapseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tWelKKP08M/XORCkO6hMxI/AAAAAAAAYO0/-YKlgBR07qwVGVruuxTZ7HyQbCLGqe8UACEwYBhgL/s400/Snapseed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soul of Christ, sanctify him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Body of Christ, save him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blood of Christ, inebriate him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Water from the side of Christ, wash him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Passion of Christ, strengthen him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">O good Jesus, hear him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Within Thy wounds hide him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Separated from Thee let him never be;</div><div style="text-align: center;">From the evil one defend him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the hour of his death call him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And close to Thee bid him;</div><div style="text-align: center;">That with Thy saints he may praise Thee for ever and ever.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Amen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">+</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank You, Jesus, that another of our sons has been allowed to receive Your Precious Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. We are forever grateful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X80CMhey--I/XORCnaxGObI/AAAAAAAAYN8/vgqhyRpOBrIs1B63b3aA56CLxOmE3iQIACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X80CMhey--I/XORCnaxGObI/AAAAAAAAYN8/vgqhyRpOBrIs1B63b3aA56CLxOmE3iQIACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5019.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85Hi4C4uZa8/XORCp1arnUI/AAAAAAAAYOE/mFyXOLZQmkoujc0bVwtaOL753KgdbRjsACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85Hi4C4uZa8/XORCp1arnUI/AAAAAAAAYOE/mFyXOLZQmkoujc0bVwtaOL753KgdbRjsACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-wY5lNuEOA/XORCr1fhaVI/AAAAAAAAYOU/V-nz_qAQg7kpCuLNS2cEvL-dhLro5D-NACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-wY5lNuEOA/XORCr1fhaVI/AAAAAAAAYOU/V-nz_qAQg7kpCuLNS2cEvL-dhLro5D-NACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5026.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9kbgZyJEyY/XORChdK1voI/AAAAAAAAYNo/0bGaqKiwl-w9yRjjHQIxZ-3jcAxeIj1nwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9kbgZyJEyY/XORChdK1voI/AAAAAAAAYNo/0bGaqKiwl-w9yRjjHQIxZ-3jcAxeIj1nwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5028.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N64D_wa8g1Q/XORClL4v2jI/AAAAAAAAYN4/LURaawBT2JgRdAUvjbFeJSzIvBOvp9wJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N64D_wa8g1Q/XORClL4v2jI/AAAAAAAAYN4/LURaawBT2JgRdAUvjbFeJSzIvBOvp9wJwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my favorite shots from the day as the communicants were making their Consecration to Mary</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3FtWeFT0kY/XORCp9ufbjI/AAAAAAAAYOA/_ANjAq1Gz34qxxOYZhrGBev0Xx4yk-cEQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3FtWeFT0kY/XORCp9ufbjI/AAAAAAAAYOA/_ANjAq1Gz34qxxOYZhrGBev0Xx4yk-cEQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xELPpBryfpg/XORC6XHVdvI/AAAAAAAAYOk/ihZYtrMtIt0PuSc2Yy6hqZvEM3EALsingCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xELPpBryfpg/XORC6XHVdvI/AAAAAAAAYOk/ihZYtrMtIt0PuSc2Yy6hqZvEM3EALsingCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are so blessed that our local homeschool group is welcomed at the local cloistered Dominican Monastery for First Communion! The families of the communicants get to meet with the sisters afterwards and it is SUCH a gift! They are just so beautiful. There are about 12 or so living here and they pray for the communicants by name in the months beforehand. When we walked into the room (they stay behind the grill), they started clapping and knew right away that it was Luke (only boy in the group!). They asked if Peter was the one "singing" with them during Mass and gave a lovely gift to Luke. They even placed him in their 1,000 Masses enrollment! Sister Mary Emmanuel was so excited when she heard his middle name was Emmanuel that she clapped.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUcb5sa1ypA/XORCpz2s0FI/AAAAAAAAYOI/B_mTqdIHE705xnfKxtiXpEwxLmSaP8wJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUcb5sa1ypA/XORCpz2s0FI/AAAAAAAAYOI/B_mTqdIHE705xnfKxtiXpEwxLmSaP8wJwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5017.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That old guy there was willing to share his 39th birthday AND if you look in the background it was also the exact 90th anniversary of the monastery! We were also blessed with the first sunny warm day in months!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naALJngzYqU/XORCiCZSMzI/AAAAAAAAYNs/CqIKzM4S5HUBgWjhyuz1Cj55jAqatLPNACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naALJngzYqU/XORCiCZSMzI/AAAAAAAAYNs/CqIKzM4S5HUBgWjhyuz1Cj55jAqatLPNACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We celebrated at our home after with a little luncheon, family, and Godparents. That snazzy bowtie he picked out himself. All my boys have worn the same suit but my little tradition is to let them pick out a new tie for the occasion.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42Six4Wvz-M/XORCsmBOarI/AAAAAAAAYOY/OQ-NnBEhomIySf2A6dQPmO-pKejtb98CQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42Six4Wvz-M/XORCsmBOarI/AAAAAAAAYOY/OQ-NnBEhomIySf2A6dQPmO-pKejtb98CQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG_ZhYOCsnI/XORCrGTgWPI/AAAAAAAAYOM/c-SswBh3vx8km1E4le_DaouX3p4UHbzUwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1112" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG_ZhYOCsnI/XORCrGTgWPI/AAAAAAAAYOM/c-SswBh3vx8km1E4le_DaouX3p4UHbzUwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Earlier in the week Luke and I put together favors to give to the guests. White chocolate melted into <a href="https://amzn.to/2VI4fks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these molds </a>and tied with the tags I made years ago when our first made his Communion.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6tqtfhqUH4/XORC4AS5KoI/AAAAAAAAYOg/dRuPvYB6Qksvjx22SSdfEs3NXVUVxubRgCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="887" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6tqtfhqUH4/XORC4AS5KoI/AAAAAAAAYOg/dRuPvYB6Qksvjx22SSdfEs3NXVUVxubRgCLcBGAs/s400/Snapseed%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have the tags available free for your own use <a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2012/05/first-communion-favors.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>. They're on Scribd so if you don't have an account and would like me to send the file to you, feel free to <a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank">email me through the site</a> and I'd be happy to send them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqdQkiZO9_E/XORCr7NETEI/AAAAAAAAYOQ/4gdvLr5QALoCCHBF4_Je_bTGGW_8osiFgCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqdQkiZO9_E/XORCr7NETEI/AAAAAAAAYOQ/4gdvLr5QALoCCHBF4_Je_bTGGW_8osiFgCLcBGAs/s400/Snapseed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmCrHCjoC1A/XORCiaVRyWI/AAAAAAAAYNw/OVc-_g3MYcMulodmkr4E2J3DIiZfQ_b6wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmCrHCjoC1A/XORCiaVRyWI/AAAAAAAAYNw/OVc-_g3MYcMulodmkr4E2J3DIiZfQ_b6wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5060.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A champagne/sparkling juice toast to celebrate such a special day and an amazing kid.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BetterThanEden/~4/1pm9X2ve5bE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mary @ Better Than Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.com1https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2019/05/soul-of-christ-sanctify-him.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-30165022545739665342019-05-18T08:57:00.002-04:002019-05-18T08:57:23.090-04:00A Long Expected Party :: David's Double Digits and a(nother) Lord of the Rings Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's been planning this birthday for the past eleven months, declaring shortly after last year's Star Wars party that his tenth birthday would be dedicated to <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>. A long expected party, one could say. We've had<a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2015/07/the-long-expected-party-middle-earthen.html" target="_blank"> a LOTR party before </a>and also <a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2014/03/and-just-like-that-hes-seven-dwarven.html" target="_blank">a Dwarven themed birthday </a>so thankfully, that helped with some of the planning and details. It was pretty impressive how much work the older three all did to prepare. My job was mostly the behind the scenes logistics and the cake about which he had very specific ideas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0opNjXbazk/XN7F70KOCBI/AAAAAAAAYLU/RjLP_VgfXTsshXm0-W2uwJ4x8t9v9uSZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1353" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0opNjXbazk/XN7F70KOCBI/AAAAAAAAYLU/RjLP_VgfXTsshXm0-W2uwJ4x8t9v9uSZQCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But really, how is our David ten?! A few times in the week before he talked about entering into the double digits with both excitement and a touch of melancholy. I remember that feeling like a big deal to me, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivN0VkDkIlc/XN7GFNlkitI/AAAAAAAAYLk/ZgOuHnVhllkGpRIKIxzo6AzCie1dU4J_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivN0VkDkIlc/XN7GFNlkitI/AAAAAAAAYLk/ZgOuHnVhllkGpRIKIxzo6AzCie1dU4J_ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4868.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If your older brother doesn't HANDFORGE YOU A REPLICA STING OUT OF SCRAP METAL AND A BRANCH, do you even Tolkien, bro? Our oldest had been working on this for weeks beforehand, only letting our second see it before the big reveal the day of the party. He had found some scrap metal in the field behind our house (the blade was fashioned out of an old truck spring apparently? What?) and made all of this. There are days that I worry they don't even like each other and will never be friends when they're older and the arguing drives me insane. Then there are days like this. Our second oldest worked really hard on fashioning that wooden ring that he painted gold to go on the bedroom wall and hold Sting.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDfhOIaVsZs/XN7GEyCSO-I/AAAAAAAAYLc/Rn4tAeZtF_Yw_6Ec_Ih2DhD7AMJr4N4jwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDfhOIaVsZs/XN7GEyCSO-I/AAAAAAAAYLc/Rn4tAeZtF_Yw_6Ec_Ih2DhD7AMJr4N4jwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4873.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He had his costume planned for a few weeks as well. Some of this was sourced from <a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2013/12/family-christmas-gifts-2013.html" target="_blank">the LOTR costumes I made for Christmas way back in the day</a> and some was pieced from his dresser. The mithril peeking out from underneath his shirt, however, <i>he made himself</i> with just a tiny bit of guidance from John Paul. He used light steel wire and <a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2016/04/a-homemade-chain-mail-mini-tutorial-yes.html" target="_blank">this technique</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRPtlOUCT3o/XN7GPDllz9I/AAAAAAAAYME/SWFJDOyy-GEHpWMA5TaUU2E3OIaI-n3aQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eRPtlOUCT3o/XN7GPDllz9I/AAAAAAAAYME/SWFJDOyy-GEHpWMA5TaUU2E3OIaI-n3aQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4908.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My little fellowship&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(or rather, a random assortment of characters they picked out on taste)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aragorn, Pippin, Frodo, Saruman, Faramir, and our little Gollum ;) (He's kinda got the hair for it.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2YGdeVz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elven clasps you can find here</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;the <a href="https://amzn.to/2JKGk1L" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ring of Power around his neck is here</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKPFAm_xfz4/XN7GGmOkY9I/AAAAAAAAYLs/LywkiZQ08U45Ed2J994j-SOgVm6l8VPrgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1122" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKPFAm_xfz4/XN7GGmOkY9I/AAAAAAAAYLs/LywkiZQ08U45Ed2J994j-SOgVm6l8VPrgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4875.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm told this says happy birthday in elvish at the top and the engraving from the ring at the bottom.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5dGPGXEfvoU/XN7G8VOglhI/AAAAAAAAYMw/5sMBqLwkwFA5vjnXo0i3ok1Zb1JCYBpOwCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5dGPGXEfvoU/XN7G8VOglhI/AAAAAAAAYMw/5sMBqLwkwFA5vjnXo0i3ok1Zb1JCYBpOwCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sign reused from other parties graciously<a href="https://www.showerofrosesblog.com/2013/02/hobbit-birthday-party.html" target="_blank"> offered free by Jessica</a> along with the party banner you'll see below! We don't do huge birthday parties guest-wise but we sometimes let the kids invite a friend or two over as well as grandparents and Godparents.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3NbTJXz_Mo/XN7GFOEB_vI/AAAAAAAAYLg/iilfh0F_740ycKuYVCOjjbP7N248PhrXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3NbTJXz_Mo/XN7GFOEB_vI/AAAAAAAAYLg/iilfh0F_740ycKuYVCOjjbP7N248PhrXgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4874.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I crack myself up.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBIGP5ORk8s/XN7G5NTJ2II/AAAAAAAAYMs/cZI_VX6b-ZMbpmlf19Bjeyq08IvRkfKUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBIGP5ORk8s/XN7G5NTJ2II/AAAAAAAAYMs/cZI_VX6b-ZMbpmlf19Bjeyq08IvRkfKUQCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first guest arrived. I was dying. They had planned this out a few days before, he bringing the cape and clothes, and our boys making the (slightly terrifying) ringwraith mask (cardboard!) and weapons.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQps7_cxunk/XN7G8yA-WYI/AAAAAAAAYM0/4iryS7q7muU3iRyloQRJKZT2IzvBDxisQCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQps7_cxunk/XN7G8yA-WYI/AAAAAAAAYM0/4iryS7q7muU3iRyloQRJKZT2IzvBDxisQCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And another guest! These kids are NOT messing around.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-eF5dujTug/XN7F1h1t16I/AAAAAAAAYLQ/zQ-ut5aUwJcITicixzzPG4aKSdoHX-7fACLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-eF5dujTug/XN7F1h1t16I/AAAAAAAAYLQ/zQ-ut5aUwJcITicixzzPG4aKSdoHX-7fACLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did this at another party and David wanted to do it again. It's hard to see and I wasn't going to pass through our Dead Marshes (heh.) but those are paper orc heads mounted on sticks that they were all going at with swords and assorted weaponry. And miraculously no one actually got hurt.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osui4KpOKck/XN7G9Alf-zI/AAAAAAAAYM4/Vxyx8UnDVBY-yjTfIyqVuYzuKXf8dzr_QCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osui4KpOKck/XN7G9Alf-zI/AAAAAAAAYM4/Vxyx8UnDVBY-yjTfIyqVuYzuKXf8dzr_QCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My life, man. It is blessed but it is also really, really weird. Our neighbors must think we're nuts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1deNJNFWk4/XN7G-pc2j-I/AAAAAAAAYM8/y5AEPF-XBEwmjfJk4taoP3BxKDvZEJuIgCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1deNJNFWk4/XN7G-pc2j-I/AAAAAAAAYM8/y5AEPF-XBEwmjfJk4taoP3BxKDvZEJuIgCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did this at another of the parties as well and as much as I kinda hate pinatas (seriously, more dangerous and chaotic than the faux battle!) we did it anyway. He made it all on his own so that helped the decision! Plus, you can you really say no to destroying the Eye of Sauron at a LOTR party?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAhFznnoWqQ/XN7H1yjJBnI/AAAAAAAAYNU/N69iFb1ML2osoBaJqn3Nhg-G1_marMA8QCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAhFznnoWqQ/XN7H1yjJBnI/AAAAAAAAYNU/N69iFb1ML2osoBaJqn3Nhg-G1_marMA8QCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't get a picture of this but David had woven rope all around our creepy cellar that the kids got to go through as a tribute to Shelob's web.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgpKokf2FzA/XN7F8-4fepI/AAAAAAAAYLY/xD1Xro02LKIYHAtucGMeZBk6q96FdkOKgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgpKokf2FzA/XN7F8-4fepI/AAAAAAAAYLY/xD1Xro02LKIYHAtucGMeZBk6q96FdkOKgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4918.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He had a very specific design for his cake that I think I pulled off adequately. After much deliberation he decided he wanted the Eye of Sauron mounted on top of the Ring of Power.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVMUXM1vhGo/XN7GLR6vXVI/AAAAAAAAYL4/SiqDNKAX7agD3T4B0T1RI2LC3Pk9lrBBQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVMUXM1vhGo/XN7GLR6vXVI/AAAAAAAAYL4/SiqDNKAX7agD3T4B0T1RI2LC3Pk9lrBBQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4879.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The coloring was made using <a href="https://amzn.to/2JQlI8m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these natural dyes </a>which are still my favorite. The powder works better and lasts much longer than the liquid dyes.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8-CPOV_1-A/XN7GO-FPXsI/AAAAAAAAYMA/YRDjr1IwBvkO0UNUgEUAfk3UqrY420ongCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8-CPOV_1-A/XN7GO-FPXsI/AAAAAAAAYMA/YRDjr1IwBvkO0UNUgEUAfk3UqrY420ongCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4880.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just don't look too closely at my Elvish script. With a medium of melted chocolate and writing in a foreign language and alphabet while a 10 month old was crawling around my legs, it wasn't a half bad attempt.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CxO8JIO-bZ4/XN7GKpAdlbI/AAAAAAAAYMc/eZKlBRo5AMo-CEinfCI6dLSA4g6WV-lTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CxO8JIO-bZ4/XN7GKpAdlbI/AAAAAAAAYMc/eZKlBRo5AMo-CEinfCI6dLSA4g6WV-lTgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_4876.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RowGbciAUM8/XN7G4eFMdHI/AAAAAAAAYMo/6PUdotF4Y0AY_ODf3jpEiPBLupWag2LwgCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RowGbciAUM8/XN7G4eFMdHI/AAAAAAAAYMo/6PUdotF4Y0AY_ODf3jpEiPBLupWag2LwgCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, he used Sting for the first cut but then he licked it so that ended there!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9YLbPul3DA/XN7G3fuGUFI/AAAAAAAAYMk/pdbB834EmGMZ8quXh_rgWeg-azmguHT7QCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B9YLbPul3DA/XN7G3fuGUFI/AAAAAAAAYMk/pdbB834EmGMZ8quXh_rgWeg-azmguHT7QCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't get a good picture of it but he strategically placed nine black balloons on the ceiling surrounding the table to symbolically represent the nine Nazgul, ha! We've used that banner about 10 times now for various parties!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4dRxkduxgg/XN7GQEuGueI/AAAAAAAAYMI/yLeBgh3akzEJByjSkxZFtIvQ6JIxJI0bQCLcBGAs/s1600/Snapseed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1232" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4dRxkduxgg/XN7GQEuGueI/AAAAAAAAYMI/yLeBgh3akzEJByjSkxZFtIvQ6JIxJI0bQCLcBGAs/s640/Snapseed.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I should have remembered to buy sparkling candles but the regular ones still gave a pretty great fire effect around the Eye!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He ended the day exhausted, happy, and officially ten. I'll be honest, I don't always love and look forward to doing this stuff (especially my May birthdays that all come back to back along with all the other annual May busyness!). But I'm always glad afterward that we did it. I hope they look back someday and not only love the memories made but recognize just how much we love them and wanted to know they were special and worthy of our family going all out to celebrate them. A mom can hope anyway!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy double digits to our Frodo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{Amazon links are affiliate links.}</div><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BetterThanEden/~4/3eRCEJnK3Aw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mary @ Better Than Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.com2https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2019/05/a-long-expected-party-davids-double.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-640846201971673514.post-14059818406908664412019-05-16T07:07:00.000-04:002019-05-17T06:47:26.375-04:007 Great Catholic Podcasts (that you may not know about!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HPhrKGuvIM/XNyqUT-ijuI/AAAAAAAAYLE/Tdlh9VXNcvkBAmawFnN0SMy-8mmhgrE3wCLcBGAs/s1600/Seven%2BGreat%2BCatholic%2BPodcasts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6HPhrKGuvIM/XNyqUT-ijuI/AAAAAAAAYLE/Tdlh9VXNcvkBAmawFnN0SMy-8mmhgrE3wCLcBGAs/s400/Seven%2BGreat%2BCatholic%2BPodcasts.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />In the last few years, I've pretty much moved completely away from the talk radio I used to enjoy so much and that would often keep me company during the long days at home. With the explosion of podcasts, I love that I can now find shows that are more catered to what I'm interested in as well as more intelligent, entertaining, and informative. And there's so many great ones out there now! I wrote out some of my favorite priests that podcast <a href="https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2016/04/clerics-on-web-my-favorite-podcasting.html" target="_blank">in this post </a>but wanted to share a list of some of my favorite lesser-known ones that you might want to check out.<br /><br />(I have links to websites but you can easily find any of them by opening whatever player your phone uses and doing a quick search.)<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1.</span></b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://www.lankyguys.org/" target="_blank">The Lanky Guys</a></b></span><br />This one has risen to be one of my absolute favorites. They are a priest (Father Peter Mussett) and Biblical scholar (Scott Powell) who go through the liturgical readings for the following Sunday's Mass. They are incredibly quirky, crazy smart, and have profoundly deepened my love for the Scriptures and my experience of the Mass. The majority of episodes teach me something I didn't already know and about half the time my mind is blown by something they share, usually towards the end of the episode. My oldest son loves listening, too, and even though we usually listen separately, it's provided a shared experience for us of learning about the Scriptures and entering into the Mass which is pretty cool. Like I said, their humor is quirky so consider yourself warned, but we find them hilarious.<br /><br />Episodes to try: It makes sense to just listen to the most current one because they're set with the weekly readings but I really loved the <a href="http://www.lankyguys.org/audio/22nd-Sunday-of-OT-2018.m4a" target="_blank">It's Messy</a> episode, <a href="http://www.lankyguys.org/audio/2nd-Sunday-of-OT-2019.m4a" target="_blank">Big Stone Jars of Death</a>, and <a href="http://www.lankyguys.org/audio/7th-Sunday-of-OT-2019.m4a" target="_blank">The Ministry of Surprises</a>.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/podcast/cna-newsroom" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CNA Newsroom</span></a></span></b><br />Quickly rising to the top of my favorites is a newer-ish podcast put out by Catholic News Agency. They have weekly informative episodes but also throw in bonus episodes hosted by CNA Editor in Chief J.D. Flynn and editors Ed Condon and Carl Bunderson where they talk about Catholic current events with intelligence and wit and most refreshing of all, objective, unbiased (outside of their Catholic worldview, obviously) reporting. I've really been learning a lot and in a season where I can't stay up to date on every single happening in the Church, I've really appreciated the topics as well as the lack of condescension in their approach. Their voice in the world of Catholic reporting (you know, offering <i>actual journalism</i>, what?!) is so needed. Some of their normal episodes are so intriguing on topics I never would have thought to look into but then I end up sitting in the car to hear the rest.<br /><br />Episode to try: <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/podcast/cna-newsroom" target="_blank">Episode 20: Rumor Has It or any of the bonus PTEI episodes</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">&nbsp;</span></b><a href="http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/category/made-for-love-podcast/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Made for Love</span></a><br />The USCCB sponsors this podcast and it is written and produced by Sara Perla who does a fantastic job. I love the variety of topics she covers from birth (<a href="http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2018/10/02/made-for-love-ep-22-childbirth-life-giving-love/" target="_blank">hey, that was me!</a>) to suicide to addiction to dating to porn. I wasn't too sure about the story format at first but now I really enjoy it and the guests she gets on are great.<br /><br />Episode to try: Hands down,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/2019/05/01/made-for-love-ep-37-adult-children-of-divorce-part-one/" target="_blank">the two part episode on Adult Children of Divorce</a>. It's a must listen for anyone who is personally affected by divorce or knows someone who is. So well done.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4.</span> <a href="https://www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Way of the Heart</span></a></b><br />This podcast is geared toward men but I'm really enjoying it just the same. It gets unapologetically deep right away which might turn some people off but which I appreciate. They go right to the core of our heart's desires and the way that the Lord works in and through them. They don't directly reference it but I have a strong feeling that it is influenced by the work of John Eldredge, a minister that powerfully impacted my husband's faith and helped me to understand my husband's heart much better. The hosts, Jake Khym (husband to Heather of Abiding Together and also someone I knew from college) and Brett Powell are good friends both of whom have a solid background in theology and ministry.<br /><br />Episodes to try: <a href="https://www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Beyond Good Ideas</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.wayoftheheartpodcast.com/orphan-or-son/" target="_blank">Orphan or Son?</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://askchristopherwest.com/">Ask Christopher West</a></span></b><br />When I saw news of this new podcast pop up in my Facebook feed, I was intrigued and started listening right away. For anyone who doesn't know, Christopher West is a well known writer and speaker in the Catholic world who arguably has promulgated the Church's teaching on sex and marriage to the widest audience since JPII (overstating it? Possibly?). His life was transformed through JPII's Theology of the Body and he has spent his life since making it accessible to as many people as possible through books, seminars, talks, retreats, and more. The podcast is a question and answer format where Christopher and his wife Wendy, who has never been part of his public ministry before, answer questions sent in through their website. The questions are wide ranging and some of them very sensitive and explicit. It's not a podcast to listen to while littles are around, FYI. I love the care they give to the questions, the feminine balance that Wendy often gives in her answers, and I love how much you can tell that they love each other. Yes, I know there was disagreement many years ago over a few things Christopher may have said but I fall on the side of recognizing that he has brought tens of thousands (if not more) people into a deeper understanding of the Church's teaching on love, sexuality, marriage, and brought back countless people who had left the Church. He reaches a boatload of people that would not otherwise encounter the full love of Christ and the truth of the Church. Their conversation is engaging, the questions are relevant and carefully answered, and I think it's great they take questions directly through their site.<br /><br />Episode to try: <a href="https://askchristopherwest.com/13" target="_blank">The Lord Is Calling</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">6.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/certifiably-catholic/id1360293632" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Certifiably Catholic</span></a></b></span><br />Their podcast is really fun to listen to and I find myself laughing out loud often. The hosts are a priest (Father Mario Amore), a mom of five (Mary Wilkerson), and a "guy who works for the Church" (Mike Chamberland and it makes me laugh every time he says that). I love that you can tell they are good friends in real life and appreciate the range of topics they cover. I only wish episodes were more often and longer! In full disclosure I do know two out of the three hosts from college and one I consider a good friend. While that might make it even more fun for me to listen to, I still think you'll like it and that it's worth your time. The topics are thoughtfully chosen and the discussion edifying. Word on the street is they're going to maybe tackle some issues that others might be a little nervous about which I'm looking forward to.<br /><br />Episode to try: <a href="https://player.fm/series/certifiably-catholic-2285780" target="_blank">Scandal Parts 1 and 2</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">7.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.clericallyspeaking.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Clerically Speaking</span></a></span></b><br />This is one I just started listening to that I'm enjoying but can't vouch for every episode. Father Sciarappa, a priest from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Father Harrison, a priest from...somewhere...Canada are the hosts and are mostly known from Catholic Twitter. I think they're hilarious and I love their ridiculous bumper music (warning: Summa Tweetologica will get in your brain). So far I've enjoyed their takes on things and their approach to teaching and living the Faith.<br /><br />Episode to try: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-931742388/mission-priests-canadian-traditions-bad-catholic-media" target="_blank">The Catholic media episode is gold</a>&nbsp;(but I can't promise it won't upset some people!).<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>...</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>Here's a few more in my library that I recommend but ones that are a bit more on the well known side: <a href="https://frjohnriccardo.libsyn.com/" target="_blank">Father John Riccardo</a>, <a href="https://catholicstuffpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Catholic Stuff You Should Know</a>, <a href="https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/frmikepodcast/" target="_blank">Father Mike Schmitz</a> (<a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/homilies-archive/" target="_blank">his homilies here</a>), <a href="https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/abidingtogether/" target="_blank">Abiding Together</a><br /><br />And a few more I enjoy depending on the topic and guest: <a href="https://thecatholicmama.com/tag/podcast/" target="_blank">The Catholic Mama</a>, <a href="https://fountainsofcarrots.com/" target="_blank">Fountains of Carrots</a>, <a href="https://www.thecatholicfeministpodcast.com/" target="_blank">The Catholic Feminist</a><br /><br />So there you go, that should keep your ears busy for a while. Let me know if you try any and what you think!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thisaintthelyceum.org/sqt-milestones-makeovers-and-cannoli/" target="_blank">{Linking up with Kelly and Seven Quick Takes}</a></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BetterThanEden/~4/__puZNuaR44" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mary @ Better Than Edenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05409924891343767874noreply@blogger.com0https://www.maryhaseltine.com/2019/05/7-great-catholic-podcasts-that-you-may.html